RI presents 'proof' linking GAM leaders to terrorism
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government team sent to Sweden to secure that country's cooperation in the war against GAM has handed over evidence to the Swedish government which its claims proves that Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders in Sweden are involved in separatist and terror acts in Aceh.
In a series of meetings with Swedish government officials on Tuesday, the Indonesian team, led by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Special Envoy Ali Alatas, presented their evidence to persuade Stockholm to take action against the GAM leaders.
"In Indonesia's view, these men are leading, instigating and commanding an armed rebellion in Aceh," Ali said during a joint press conference after meeting with Swedish foreign affairs minister Anna Lindh.
He further said that he had handed over "proof of the links between Free Aceh Movement (GAM) representatives in Sweden and terrorist acts committed by rebels in (Aceh and) Indonesia."
Lindh said that the Swedish authorities would further study the evidence before responding to Indonesia's request.
"The authorities will take measures if Swedish laws have been infringed," she said.
When asked whether legal action would be taken against the exiled GAM leaders, the minister said that the evidence should be studied first and stressed that any action against GAM leaders would be decided on by the authorized agency and not by the Swedish government.
She insisted, however, that the Swedish government recognized Indonesia's sovereignty over Aceh.
Alatas' team is the fourth delegation the Indonesian government has sent to Sweden since 2000 to convince the Swedish government to take action against the GAM leaders.
GAM leaders who have been living in that country for years and obtained Swedish citizenship include Hasan Tiro, Zaini Abdullah and Malik Mahmood. GAM recognizes Tiro as the president of Aceh, Zaini as foreign minister and Malik as prime minister.
So far, the Swedish government has taken no action against the exiled GAM leaders as they have done nothing to violate Swedish law.
Jakarta has been considering downgrading diplomatic ties with Sweden should the latest mission fail to secure a satisfactory outcome from Indonesia's point of view.
The mission to Sweden is part of the government's efforts to crush the separatist movement in the province. The government imposed martial law and launched a major military offensive there on May 19.
Entering the fourth week of the offensive, more than 160 rebels and 23 security personnel, including policemen, have been killed. In addition, some 500 schools have been torched and more than 22,000 Acehnese civilians forced to flee their villages, according to latest government figures.
Last Wednesday, a German tourist was shot dead and his wife injured in Aceh. The couple were camping on a beach in Lhok Gayo, Teunom District, Aceh Jaya regency.
The government is also considering an attempt to have GAM included on the United Nations' list of terrorist organizations under UN Resolution 1373/2000 so as to win the international community's support for the war against the separatist movement.
On Wednesday, the government team is scheduled to meet with officials of the Swedish attorney general's office.
A meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson is not yet on the cards.